Pike County Central Baseball Player Charged With Assault After Punching Opponent

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - 11 p.m. report

An Eastern Kentucky high school athlete faces an assault charge after being ejected from a baseball game Tuesday night.

Bradley Elkins, 18, a senior at Pike County Central High School, was arrested Wednesday and charged with Assault Second Degree. He bonded out of jail later Wednesday.

WYMT obtained video that appears to show Elkins - who was playing shortstop - punching a player from Lawrence County High School while the player was on second base. That player is a juvenile.

Umpires ejected Elkins and then called the game with Lawrence County ahead, 9-5. The Bulldogs were credited with the win.

"It's not something that we condone that happened," Pike Central principal David Rowe said. "The young man just made a mistake. He's a great student athlete. We've never had any issues out of him or any of our baseball players."

Lawrence County school officials said the victim went to the hospital but did not suffer any broken bones.

The two district rivals also played the previous night and coaches said emotions were running high.

While smack talk and even the occasional tussle are nothing new in high school sports, officials with the Pike County Attorney's Office believe Elkins crossed the line.

"Do we want to file charges every time young men have a fracas on a ball field? I think anyone will tell you that's probably not appropriate," Chief Assistant Pike County Attorney Tommy Chamberlin said. "But you get to the point where the behavior clearly crosses the line from young men getting a little hotheaded to criminal action."

Elkins is a three-sport star at Pike Central with a scholarship to play football at Union College this fall.

"It's unfortunate that this is what people are going to see from Brad," Pike Central baseball coach Chris Lawson said. "Because it's truly not the kind of kid that he is."

School administrators sent video of the incident to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and are waiting to hear about a possible suspension for Elkins.

Lawrence County Schools superintendent Robbie Fletcher told WYMT the two schools are working together to help move past this incident and that LCHS will cooperate fully with the KHSAA.

The two teams could face each other again later this month during the 60th District Tournament at Pike Central.

VIDEO: Pike Central player faces assault charge after ejection from baseball game

Dang....very high emotions there.

Dang....very high emotions there.

That escalated quickly.

A few words and it all gets out of control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8yjNbcKkNY

Some claim the kid was knocked out and Elkins continued to punch him while on the ground.

Reports of a hard slide into Elkins the night before.

Thankfully he didn't get any urine squirted on him. Death penalty

Isn't this same school that had a huge brawl with Breathitt County in a football game? Seems to be they have this type of thing often there.

Should be done. Probably won't be.

I think this same kid had an incident in a district tourney basketball game.

I think this same kid had an incident in a district tourney basketball game.

But his principal in the story said they've never had any problem with this young man. :idunno:

He'll fit in on Union's football team.

He'll fit in on Union's football team.

Or WILL he?

I think this same kid had an incident in a district tourney basketball game.

He made a play on the ball and it was a very hard foul.....clean play in my book.

I hardly think this is second degree assault.

Fourth degree, yes. A simple punch is fourth degree assault.

I hardly think this is second degree assault. Fourth degree' date=' yes. A simple punch is fourth degree assault.[/quote']

 

What is required for 2nd?